Tag: Anambra

Civil Rights Concern (CRC) has developed a Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) dashboard targeted at addressing taxpayers’ complaints arising from revenue collection in Anambra state.

Executive Director, Okey Onyeka disclosed this in an engagement with stakeholders themed, “Strengthening fiscal justice for gender equality and tax accountability: ensuring that public resources are raised and spent responsibly, transparently and equitably in Anambra.”

He said the meeting centered on the GRM in tax justice administration would discuss the existing framework in revenue generation and taxpayers’ challenges.

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Expressing concerns over abusive, aggressive and violent approaches of revenue collectors towards taxpayers, Onyeka said such practices were part of issues the dashboard is expected to address.  “There was an assessment of how revenue collection and interest mechanisms work in the state.”

While discussing that report, Anambra scored over 60 percent.

“Although that is not a bad score, but there are so many gaps to address in terms of efficiency, effectiveness, timing, how citizens’ complaints are addressed and other parameters.

“At the end of each quarter, the government is expected to look at the dashboard and see if the issues raised have been properly responded to in terms of timing and efficiency.”

From Elekwachi Chinedum, Onitsha

Two persons have been assassinated by gunmen in Ogidi community in Idemili North local government area of Anambra state.

The deceased, President-General of the community and one other yet to be identified were killed Friday night at the community’s school field.

The Nation gathered that the murder victim recently lost his mother.

Police spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga confirmed the incident, saying the murder might not be unconnected to recent capture and killing of a known notorious cultist within the community.

He said police operatives had taken over the scene of the incident while investigations had commenced.

He added that efforts were on to arrest the perpetrators, calling for calm and cooperation among residents.

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According to Ikenga, “Anambra State Police Command regrets the murder of the President General of the Ogidi community and one other person.

“The incident, which occurred in the evening of 6th February 2026 at the School Field, Ogidi, is allegedly linked to the recent capture and killing of a known notorious cultist within the community.

“Following the report, police operatives swiftly took over the scene of the incident and commenced investigations.

“The Command is currently working with eyewitness accounts and other available intelligence to identify and arrest the perpetrators,

“The Anambra State Police assures members of the public that all efforts are being intensified to bring those responsible to justice.”

Two suspects were shot dead in exchange of fires between Police and hoodlums suspected to be armed robbers abd cultists linked to proscribed secessionist in Enugwu Agidi junction, Dunukofia Local Government Area of Anambra State.

Police spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga who disclosed this on Thursday said three others fled the scene with varying degrees of gunshot injuries during the fierce gun battle which lasted for two hours.

He said one T.06 rifle, two pump-action guns, 24 rounds of T.06 ammunition, 15 live cartridges, assorted criminal charms, one cult red beret and one black Toyota Highlander vehicle were recovered from the suspects.

He said, “Anambra State Police Command in the early hours of 14th January 2026 recorded another major operational breakthrough in its sustained efforts to rid the State of criminal elements and ensure the safety of lives and property. 

“The Police Operatives attached to Rapid Response Squad Awkuzu acting on credible and actionable intelligence, laid an ambush to a 5-man group of armed hoodlums suspected to be armed robbers, cultists, and linked to a proscribed secessionist group at Enugwu Agidi Junction, Dunukofia Local Government Area of Anambra State.

“Upon sighting the Operatives, the suspects engaged the Officers in a fierce gun battle that lasted for two hours which resulted to fatal gun shot injuries on two of the armed suspects, while the other three fled the scene with varying degrees of gunshot injuries. 

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“The Operatives also recovered One (1) T.06 rifle, two (2) pump-action guns, Twenty-four (24) rounds of T.06 ammunition, Fifteen (15) live cartridges, Assorted criminal charms, One cult red beret and One black Toyota Highlander vehicle.

“Furthermore, while in deep agony, one of the armed suspects confessed the gang members as being part of those who launched an unsuccessful but repelled attack by the Police Operatives on the convoy of former Minister of Labour and Employment, Dr Chris Ngige.

“He also confessed being part of the striking squad of Vikings confraternity on a mission to retaliate the death of one of their members by another rival cult group.

“The Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu while commending the gallantry of the operatives charged them to intensify efforts to arrest other gang members, particularly those who fled with gunshot injuries during the encounter.

“Meanwhile, hospital or related medical facilities are advised to admit anyone with gunshot wounds or related injuries, but must endeavor to report such to the nearest Police Station immediately.

“Further developments will be communicated as investigations progress.”

Over 40 farmers in Oroma-etiti Anam in Anambra West Local Government Area of Anambra State will be trained by All Nations Arise and Manifest (ANAM) Initiative on Solar Processing and Storage for flood resilient farming .

Executive Director, Engr Tessy Aniesi disclosed this at the flag off-pilot edition of the Farmers Resilience and Data Empowerment Programme (FARDEP) project in the area.

She said the initiative was necessitated by adverse effects of flooding on farmers and the entire communities, adding that the beneficiaries, two from each village, were selected purely on merit.

Declaring the programme open, Aniesi said the aim was to assist flood-affected farmers recover, adapt and become more resilient through practical support, skills and community-based solutions.

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She listed areas of coverage to include solar drying and storage; improved seedlings for higher yields, empowerment to process and store harvest faster as well as support for stronger, flood resilient farming systems.

She said, “We are here today because flooding has become a painful reality for our communities. Each year, our farmers work hard, only to watch their crops destroyed by floodwaters.

“This does not just affect food—it affects income, dignity, and the future of our families.

“FARDEP was designed as a practical response, not sympathy. We are not here to make promises we cannot keep; we are here to start work that can grow with commitment and partnership.

“Today’s engagement is about learning more from the real farmers, sharing experiences, and setting a system where farmers are better prepared, losses are reduced, and food does not go to waste.

Appreciating traditional leaders, Presidents General, FARDEP communities and partners for their support, the ED said their presence further proved that community development was possible when stakeholders worked together.

National Chairman, Anam People’s Assembly, Chief Alex Okonkwo described the programme as laudable and welcome development.

•Ogidi hands over N200m project to school

The people of Ogidi, in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, say, the name of the late literary giant, Prof Chinua Achebe has continued to inspire them to delve into projects in school.

The Association of Boys Secondary School (BSS, Ogidi),  now Archbishop Heerey Technical College, came together to erect an edifice in the school worth over 200 million naira and handed over to the Archbishop of Onitsha, Most Rev Valerian Okeke.

Speaking at the event, Chairman, Building Project Implementation Technical Committee, Chief Chris Onwudiwe , said the spirit of Achebe lives in anyone from the community and indeed, Anambra State.

This, according to him, is because everybody aspires to be like Achebe, adding that being a world renowned literary giant, anything that concerns education in his community would make him turn anywhere he is.

The event was graced by Archbishop Valerian Okeke, the popular Pharmacist in Nigeria and traditional ruler of Ogidi community, Igwe, Dr Alex Onyido, while High Chief Samuel Anyawutaku, was the chairman of the day

Some of the old boys of the school in attendance are, former Managing Director, Arik Air, Chief Sir Chris Ndulue; Engr Ken Nwabueze; former Special Adviser on IT to USA President, George Bush, High Chief, Prof Frank Okafor, among others .

According to Onwudiwe,”Yes, it is part of it. You know that this school is a Catholic school. The Catholic Church started it before the war and after the war, the government took over it.

“Before the war it was Archbishop Heerey Memorial. Then after the war the government acquired it and named it Boys Secondary School, Ogidi.

“There were also people from Nsukka, Ebonyi, Yoruba land and others that were in the school then. And they’re still in this association.

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“But after Peter Obi handed over the school to churches, the Catholic Church recovered it and changed the name to Archbishop Heerey Technical College, Ogidi.

“Chinua Achebe inspired a lot of us, because everybody was aspiring to be like him. Even when we were doing literature those days in secondary school, we were looking up to him; to be like our brother, Chinua Achebe, and some other Ogidi people that were very, very influential then, like Prof. Emesia, Prof. Onukogu, and others,” he said.

In his remarks, Archbishop Okeke thanked the Old boys for such a gesture to the school. For 40 years, there were no developmental strides in the school, until Peter Obi came and handed schools back to the missions.

“We beckoned to old boys, and they answered us from all over the world. Things to do are much, we’re like Oliver Twist, we demand for more. But don’t do beyond your capacity because it’s not forceful. We need teacher’s quarters in the place to stop teachers from paying rents. However, it’s a gradual process,” he said.

The  monarch, Igwe Onyido, said he was overwhelmed by the initiative of the association, adding , “it’s not easy having such alumni in any place,” he said, while promising to build a bookshop in the school.

Two philanthropists, Prof Chiemelu Emegoakor and Dr Emma Nwokedi have sponsored a multi- million naira free medical outreach for less- privileged persons in Uke Community in Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State.

Speaking at the Primary Healthcare Center, Uke, Emegoakor said he had been offering free surgery and medical outreach for four years running with his colleague and brother, Nwokedi who is also from the community.

“It is our way of giving back to society. For me, the skill or resources I have is divine. So, I have dedicated at least one day in a year to give back to my community.

“We have performed major, intermediate and minor surgeries. Those we undertook today include 10 Inguinal hernia, 4 Thyroidectomy (goitre removal), 4 Umbilical hernia(tube na abo), 3 Cyst, 1 Breast lump, 4 Lipoma, 3 Hydrocele and 1 Undescended testis.

“Moreso, 30 women had ultrasound screening of their breasts and 110 patients with varying ailments were seen and given drugs sourced from the USA,” he said.

Emegoakor further advised residents to be health conscious and learn good health behaviors particularly once they were up to 40 years.

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“Do not wait until you break down before going to hospital, go for medical check-ups from time to time the way you go to the mechanic to check your vehicle engine.

“Once you are up to 40 years, please check your blood pressure, blood sugar from time to time. If you discover anything abnormal in your system please visit the hospital. But an adult should not wait until he sees something abnormal.

“Excluding my medical expertise which I bring to bear which is not quantifiable, we spent roughly N12 million for today’s outreach. It is the love for our community and we are not expecting anything from them,” said Emegoakor.

A principal sponsor of the annual medical outreach, Dr. Emma Nwokedi expressed joy and satisfaction in seeing the community benefit from the free health care program.

Nwokedi, an American-based oncologist however reflected on the huge cost needed to drive the programme, especially with respect to core professionals brought for surgeries and other key medical services.

“Not minding what it takes to deliver this outreach every year, my joy is found in the fact that people’s lives are saved, especially those who cannot afford the cost of treating their ailments,” he added.